formality
Americannoun
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formalities
plural
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condition or quality of being formal; accordance with required or traditional rules, procedures, etc.; conventionality.
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rigorously methodical character.
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strict adherence to established rules and procedures; rigidity.
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observance of form or ceremony.
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marked or excessive ceremoniousness.
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an established order or method of proceeding.
the formalities of judicial process.
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a formal act or observance.
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something done merely or mainly for form's sake; a requirement of custom or etiquette.
the formality of a thank-you note.
noun
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a requirement of rule, custom, etiquette, etc
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the condition or quality of being formal or conventional
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strict or excessive observance of form, ceremony, etc
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an established, proper, or conventional method, act, or procedure
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of formality
From the Latin word fōrmālitās, dating back to 1525–35. See formal 1, -ity
Explanation
A formality is something that follows traditional rules. Even though you knew your request for time off at work would be approved, you still went through the formality of filling out all the required paperwork. Formality also means to align with customs or etiquette. In this way, a formality is often something that's more symbolic than necessary. For example, when a big group sits down to eat dinner together, no one starts eating until everyone is served. That formality of dining etiquette is a sign of good manners and consideration for others. If you're British, a formality of your culture is to curtsy or bow when you meet the Queen.
Vocabulary lists containing formality
TEKS ELAR Academic Vocabulary List (5th-7th grades)
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Shape Up: Form
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And Then There Were None
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
His writing has a certain formality and a genericness that doesn’t always feel like him.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 30, 2026
An appeal from City is expected to be a formality.
From BBC ● Sep. 25, 2026
“The expectation for formality is different in law or finance.”
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 21, 2026
"I care more about physical health; the test is just a formality."
From Barron's ● Jun. 7, 2026
“It’ll drive me to screaming back,” I said to Estraven in mindspeech, and he, with the hesitant formality that marked his rapport: “No use. It will not listen.”
From "The Left Hand of Darkness" by Ursula K. Le Guin
The man submitted to standard airport health screening in Nairobi, and passed through immigration formalities, officials said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 6, 2026
“There are some formalities to it,” said Saltarelli.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 26, 2026
Japan's formalities -- from the complexity of polite language to extreme attention to detail in packaging or wrapping -- may surprise visitors, he said.
From Barron's ● Mar. 24, 2026
Polite formalities did not return at the toss, Suryakumar Yadav and Salman Ali Agha giving each other the silent treatment.
From BBC ● Feb. 15, 2026
Why climb this Mount Everest of formalities that makes you feel like a beggar?
From "Life of Pi" by Yann Martel
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
